66 – Alex
We were holed up at Oliver’s place for a few days, while we looked for a new place and while I loved my best friend more than anything, I didn’t know if our friendship, or his marriage was going to fare well after this.
Especially if Jade and Joey kept shit–talking us
“And then, Hiro spewed all over Alex’s three–hundred–dollar jacket, and he just chucked it in the bin, instead of letting me wash it.” Jade threw back her pretty head and cackled and Joey joined her. “He really doesn’t like kids.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t say I didn’t like kids, Jade. I just don’t like being spewed on.”
The pair of them cackled again and 1 looked at Oliver for support. He raised his hands and shrugged. “Sorry man, can’t you out of this one.”
“Fuck“I muttered.
“Speaking of Hiro.” Jade said, climbing to her feet. “He’s due to wake up. I’m going to go and get him.”
She wandered off, leaving Oliver and me with Joey and my friend looked at us. “So, is Yuka still planning this trip to Nevada
“Yes. He is. I told him it’s not a good idea. Especially since Joey has to go too, to learn from Yasu And I have to be there to protect him. We’re going to be in a city we don’t know. There are going to be so fucking many variables I can’t control.”
“Damn it.” Oliver said, frowning. “I can’t even get Jade to talk him out of it either.”
“And you shouldn’t.” Joey said and we both turned to her. “She has enough on her plate with Hiro and the club and the business dealings of the clan. You can’t expect her to try and talk her father out of something that is going to strengthen the trade and peace with other clans.”
“Spoken like a true clanswoman.” Oliver said and I glared at my friend
This was exactly what I didn’t want, for Joey to start to dig down into the mud and politics of the clan. It was bad enough that I had to dirty my hands with it. I didn’t want her to as well. All I wanted was for her to be Yuka’s doctor and that was it.
I wished Joey looked at me and I stared right back. I did love her fight and determination, but at the same time, right now, she was the quiet, shy, meek woman. “We are going. Threats or not, we still have a job to do. You are Yuka’s head of Security. I am his physician in training. If you’re worried, hire more security.”
“It’s not that easy, doll.” I said, “We have a week until the trip. I can’t get enough security vetted in time
for that
“I’m sure you’re more than capable.” She smiled sweetly at me and I raised an eyebrow at her. “I know you are more
than-
“There’s my boy!” Oliver cut Joey short, and I was kind of grateful. It was going to get very uncomfortable for the big man, if he hadn’t.
Jade held Hiro in her arms, and she walked toward us.. and Hiro reached for Joey.
you little traitor.” Oliver chuckled as Joey cooed at him and took him from his mother.
The tubby little bugger giggled and cooed back at Joey and a strange feeling came over me.
I wanted that.
I wanted Joey to be the mother of my children.
What. The. Fuck?
My gaze moved away from my girlfriend and the giggly baby and caught Oliver’s. He had a smirk to his lips, and I rolled – my eyes. Here we go again. “So, Joey”
Ah, fuck
“You ever want kids?”
God damn it. I was going to skin him and make Jade a new coat
Joey bounced Hiro on her knee, cooing to him and smiled. “Yeah. I’m an only child. 1 always wanted siblings. But mom got too sick to have more kids. If I ever have them, I want at least three.”
66–Alex
Three…
The thought of Joey carrying three of my kids- my stomach flipped, and my groin tightened with the idea. Fuck, I was in trouble, because right now, even with everything happening around us, the threats and the drama, I would happily get her pregnant.
y seal.
Again, my groin tightened, and I shifted in my
“You all good over there, Alex?” Oliver asked, then amusement in his voice evident and I flipped him off, much to his delight. “My crank butt over there, doesn’t want kids.”
Joey’s gaze lifted to mine.
Shit.
“Really?” Was that a hint of disappointment? The thought she was disappointed with me not wanting kids hit me harder than I thought. Did she have it in her mind that maybe, she would want kids with me one day? “Why not?”
Suddenly all the attention was on me, and I really wanted to reach out and slap the fuck out of Oliver. “Because I didn’t have a good relationship with my parents, and I am worried history would repeat itself.”
Joey frowned and looked down at Hiro. “Well, that’s just silly. Isn’t it, bubba? I think Uncle Alex would make the most amazing daddy. What do you think?”
And I shit you not, that chunk little gremlin turned around and looked at me… and smiled.
“Yeah, you think so too. Well, hopefully one day, he’ll change his mind. Joey kept talking to Hiro and I frowned.
Standing. I looked down at everyone. “I need some air. I’ll be outside.”
Leaving the living room, I stepped out into the cooling night air and took a deep breath. “Holy shit…”
“Hey man, I didn’t mean to push.” Oliver came up next to me. “I’m sorry.”
I could never stay angry with Oliver for long… or at all. Not with all the shit we had been through in the last ten years. “It’s
fine
Turning, I leaned against the large concrete dragon in the garden and looked back into the house. Joey and Jade were on the floor with Hiro, playing with the tot and I smiled
“She’s got you good, hasn’t she?”
“Yeah, she has.” I smiled “And you know what? She said she hopes one day, I change my mind about having kids… well, I can tell you now, I have. I think I did the first time I saw her with Hiro.”
“Really?”
I nodded, looking at my friend, then at the woman I loved.
“Yeah, I could have kids with Jory.”
